Dunedin Photographic Society

The Dunedin Photographic Society (DPS) is a New Zealand club of photographers based in Dunedin. According to its own history, it was formed in March 1890 by a small group of enthusiastic photographers with the firm intention of encouraging amateur pictorial photography. More than a century later, the society describes itself as larger and more diverse, but still committed to fostering enthusiastic amateur photographers. The society operates as a membership club rather than a commercial company. It holds regular meetings on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 7.30pm at the Mornington Presbyterian Community Centre, 16 Maryhill Terrace, Dunedin. Meetings are structured around a speaker plus regular items such as the Print and Projected Image of the month competitions. Visitors are always welcome, and the society also runs social photowalks and field trips, which involve getting outdoors with a camera. Recent trips mentioned on its website include a photowalk around the harbour, a sunrise photoshoot at St Clair, a trip to Shag Point, and a photowalk in the Botanic Gardens. The DPS is governed by a council. For 2025–26 the Patron is Phil Hollard and the President is Jodelle Leatham, with Judith Swan as Secretary, Graeme Aitkinson as Treasurer, Melanie Dick as Webmaster, Tulipa Briggs as Projected Image Secretary and Social Media and Communications Secretary, Anastasia Laubudina as Print Secretary, and councillors including Ross McIvor, Alan Coppin, Greg Hughson, Kate Burton, Andy Smith, Craig McKenzie, Glenn Symon, Tony Pomfret and Wynston Cooper. The society maintains a constitution, rules and bylaws, and publishes a programme of activities. Its website notes that all images remain copyright of the original photographers and that permission must be requested for reuse. As a club, the DPS does not sell products in the conventional commercial sense; its "offerings" are membership, meetings, competitions, photowalks, field trips and community. It is a longstanding institution in New Zealand amateur photography, with a history stretching back to the late 19th century.

The Dunedin Photographic Society was formed in March 1890 by a small group of enthusiastic photographers. Its stated intention was to encourage amateur pictorial photography. The society has continued to operate as a club for amateur photographers in Dunedin, New Zealand, for well over a century. By its own account, 133 years after its founding the group had become larger and more diverse, while the intent of fostering enthusiastic amateur photographers continued. Over the decades the DPS has maintained a programme of regular meetings, competitions, photowalks and field trips. Meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 7.30pm at the Mornington Presbyterian Community Centre, 16 Maryhill Terrace, Dunedin. Meetings are structured around a speaker with other regular items such as the Print and Projected Image of the month competitions. The society also organises social photowalks and fieldtrips, which involve getting outdoors with a camera; recent trips have included a photowalk around the harbour, a sunrise photoshoot at St Clair, a trip to Shag Point, and a photowalk in the Botanic Gardens. The society is governed by a council and maintains a constitution, rules and bylaws. For 2025–26 the Patron is Phil Hollard and the President is Jodelle Leatham. Other officeholders include Judith Swan (Secretary), Graeme Aitkinson (Treasurer), Melanie Dick (Webmaster), Tulipa Briggs (Projected Image Secretary and Social Media and Communications Secretary) and Anastasia Laubudina (Print Secretary), with councillors Ross McIvor, Alan Coppin, Greg Hughson, Kate Burton, Andy Smith, Craig McKenzie, Glenn Symon, Tony Pomfret and Wynston Cooper. The society's website notes that all images on the site remain copyright of the original photographers and that contact is required to request use of any images.

• 2025

  Council members for 2025–26 listed, with Phil Hollard as Patron and Jodelle Leatham as President.

• 2023

  Society describes itself as 133 years old, larger and more diverse, still fostering amateur photographers.

• 1890

  Dunedin Photographic Society formed in March by a small group of enthusiastic photographers.

A long-established amateur photographic club in Dunedin, New Zealand, focused on learning, sharing knowledge and encouraging amateur pictorial photography.

• Membership

  Membership of the club, with meetings, competitions, photowalks and field trips.

• Monthly meetings

  Held on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 7.30pm at the Mornington Presbyterian Community Centre.

• Print and Projected Image of the month competitions

  Regular competition items at club meetings.

• Photowalks and field trips

  Social outdoor photography activities, including harbour photowalks, sunrise shoots and Botanic Gardens walks.

1. 1Dunedin Photographic Society – official website homepagedps.org.nz
2. 2About Us – Dunedin Photographic Societydps.org.nz
3. 3Dunedin Photographic Society – Wikidatawikidata.org